Huckabee Declines To Take Shot At Daniels

By Tim Alberta

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Mike Huckabee(Chet Susslin)

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) doesn't like the idea of Republicans calling a "truce" on social issues to focus on fixing the economy -- but that doesn't mean he's eager to take on the man pushing that message, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R).

"I'm a fan of Mitch Daniels," Huckabee said on a conference call with reporters Monday, adding that Daniels has "an extraordinary skill set not only to be governor but to be president."

Huckabee was speaking with reporters one day before the release of his book, "A Simple Government," in which he writes: "I've been criticized many times for talking so much about 'social issues' when the real issue now, according to some people, is the economy. Well, buckle up, Turbo, because here's a simple, inarguable fact: Every broken, fatherless family has a tremendous economic impact."

Huckabee made it clear that while he admires Daniels and could even see himself supporting the Hoosier for president, Republicans "don't need to be talking about a truce."

"I believe conservatives can walk and chew gum at the same time," said Huckabee, who stressed that one of the underlying themes of his book is that "there's no way to disconnect social issues from the economic," because there are "direct consequences from social breakdowns."

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Last year, Huckabee was critical of Daniels' proposed truce on social issues, and his book shows that he won't be shy about continuing to express his disapproval of the idea.

Huckabee's book, which runs 210 pages, carries the subtitle: "Twelve Things We Really Need from Washington (and a Trillion That We Don't!)"

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